TTC (Trying to Conceive)

Anyone here who's in the process of trying to conceive? We've been trying to on and off for a bit over 2 years. Gone through all sorts of hoops and still no luck. Just curious if anyone out there is in the same boat. Any Old Wives Tales on what positions work best? Any tricks to do?

I'm sure you already have heard that you should do it when your ovulating. You know, where you have to suddenly stop everything you're doing and screw because it's the perfect time.... That never really worked for me though.... There were some fertility statues at a Ripley's believe it or not museum that we went to once.... =P

As far as old wives tales go, I've heard that you should actually stand on your head afterward. =P I'd kill myself just attempting that! I'm sure hubby would get a kick out of it though!

I actually got pregnant with two of my kids when I was having my period. Gross I know but, that's what worked for me. I went ahead and had my period and missed my next one. That was with my last two kids. With the first one I didn't know what I was doing really other than having sex! =P

Good luck to you Sleeping Dreamer! I hope you hear the pitter patter of little feet soon! =)

My husband and I tried for about a year to have our first child, and what finally ended up working for me was using the ovulation testing sticks. You just use them like home pregnancy tests, and it really helped me pinpoint the exact day of ovulation.

No position is any better than another, the whole gravity thing isn't true because sperm actually swim upwards thus defeating the purpose behind raising your legs up after sex.

You've probably already heard this, but eliminate stress from your life as best you can. Also make sure your husband is doing everything he can to help. My husband's low sperm count is why it was difficult for us to conceive the first time. He started wearing boxers instead of briefs, no hot tubs or saunas, no drinking no smoking and better diet really helped. Only thing is it takes 4 weeks for it to make a difference.

I don't know how often you have sex, but it might help to cut back on it if you're doing it every day. Once every three days is optimal for having the best sperm count in the ejaculate to increase the chances of a sperm getting through. I knew about when I would ovulate, so we wouldn't have sex for at least 4 days before I would start ovulating so he would have more sperm available for that two-three day period.

The second time I got pregnant the first month we tried, so I think his better health and keeping his balls cool helped us a lot.

Best of luck to you, and no matter what try not to worry about it (I know, that's the hard part). Just relax and have fun

Not trying to conceive. I had the opposite problem. Pregnant twice the first month off the pills, but I have had friends that had a lot of trouble.

Two things that I've heard. Stay laying down after sex for at least 30 minutes. Sperm do swim, but the don't always swim up legs!

The other has to do with men. Tight fitting briefs can cause heat in the balls killing sperm. Switch to boxers or nothing. The same thing is true if your partner rides a bike a lot. Unless he has a special seat, the normal bike seats can actually .... Heck, I don't remember exactly. Pinched nerves, lower sperm counts, permanent damage is possible. I remember the recommendation from the urologist though.

Anyone here who's in the process of trying to conceive? We've been trying to on and off for a bit over 2 years. Gone through all sorts of hoops and still no luck. Just curious if anyone out there is in the same boat. Any Old Wives Tales on
...

Anyone here who's in the process of trying to conceive? We've been trying to on and off for a bit over 2 years. Gone through all sorts of hoops and still no luck. Just curious if anyone out there is in the same boat. Any Old Wives Tales on what positions work best? Any tricks to do?

Im in the same boat as you. I've been off birth control since June and i haven't had a period since then (until yesterday). Apparently i wasn't ovulating so my dr put me on clomid for 2 cycles and nothing so then yesterday they checked to see if my tubes were blocked and they weren't so i have to wait to see what he wants to do next. Everyone and their mom is going to say "try not to worry about it" but its alot easier said than done so i won't even say that. But you should get a book called "Take charge of your fertility", it has alot of good info.

Reply

11/11/2008

Daydreamer311

Quote:

Originally posted by
Nashville

Anyone here who's in the process of trying to conceive? We've been trying to on and off for a bit over 2 years. Gone through all sorts of hoops and still no luck. Just curious if anyone out there is in the same boat. Any Old Wives Tales on
...

Anyone here who's in the process of trying to conceive? We've been trying to on and off for a bit over 2 years. Gone through all sorts of hoops and still no luck. Just curious if anyone out there is in the same boat. Any Old Wives Tales on what positions work best? Any tricks to do?

I have been through the TTC process and it was a very long road. I wound up seeing a reproductive endocrinologist and went through six rounds of Clomid with IUI each time (intrauterine insemination via plastic tubing with my husband's sperm), then did two rounds of Follistim to get my egg cells to develop which also involved self-administered shots of Lupron, HCG trigger shot to make me ovulate, more IUI, and then progesterone support. On the second round of Follistim right as we were ready to give up I got pregnant with our twins, Allyson and Nathan. It was a VERY long, lonely road complete with one miscarriage at 3 months on the 4th round of Clomid which was devastating. All I can recommend is that if you've tried for two years, even on and off, I would ask for referral to a reproductive endocrinologist so you can see if there are other hormonal or physical issues going on. I can speak very highly for Follistim and it worked wonderfully and relatively quickly for us. I'm hoping you have success in your TTC journey...hang in there!

I have been through the TTC process and it was a very long road. I wound up seeing a reproductive endocrinologist and went through six rounds of Clomid with IUI each time (intrauterine insemination via plastic tubing with my husband's sperm),
...

I have been through the TTC process and it was a very long road. I wound up seeing a reproductive endocrinologist and went through six rounds of Clomid with IUI each time (intrauterine insemination via plastic tubing with my husband's sperm), then did two rounds of Follistim to get my egg cells to develop which also involved self-administered shots of Lupron, HCG trigger shot to make me ovulate, more IUI, and then progesterone support. On the second round of Follistim right as we were ready to give up I got pregnant with our twins, Allyson and Nathan. It was a VERY long, lonely road complete with one miscarriage at 3 months on the 4th round of Clomid which was devastating. All I can recommend is that if you've tried for two years, even on and off, I would ask for referral to a reproductive endocrinologist so you can see if there are other hormonal or physical issues going on. I can speak very highly for Follistim and it worked wonderfully and relatively quickly for us. I'm hoping you have success in your TTC journey...hang in there!

We've been. I have both PCOS and Endo so I've seen a LOT of doctors. At this point we're just giving it a good old fashioned try because I'm tired of all the medications that manage to make me feel sick & depressed. But TY and congrats on your twins!

I'm anovulatory and just hoping that maybe this is the month I ovulate on my own.

Im in the same boat as you. I've been off birth control since June and i haven't had a period since then (until yesterday). Apparently i wasn't ovulating so my dr put me on clomid for 2 cycles and nothing so then yesterday they checked
...

Im in the same boat as you. I've been off birth control since June and i haven't had a period since then (until yesterday). Apparently i wasn't ovulating so my dr put me on clomid for 2 cycles and nothing so then yesterday they checked to see if my tubes were blocked and they weren't so i have to wait to see what he wants to do next. Everyone and their mom is going to say "try not to worry about it" but its alot easier said than done so i won't even say that. But you should get a book called "Take charge of your fertility", it has alot of good info.

Yea, my periods were all over the place. I went 4 months without one and then 6 months with one. It was a hard road never knowing what was going on. I ended up being diagnosed with exuberant endometrial hyperplasia, then they said things looked abnormal and made me jump through hoops to make sure it wasn't cancer.

I just want everything to be normal and for my body to function the way it should.

I've one suggestion, not exactly on your part, but for your husband. They do make herbal pills that increase sperm/ejaculate. there are two that I've tried that worked. XploZion by ExtenZe and Max Load. Both are created to make the finish prolonged and more intense for the man, but they do create an increase in sperm. My boyfriend enjoys Max Load more, while I prefer XploZion. I will actually be trying a combination of both this month and will tell you the results if wanted? I do hope this helps a little, and that you have good fortune

Yea, my periods were all over the place. I went 4 months without one and then 6 months with one. It was a hard road never knowing what was going on. I ended up being diagnosed with exuberant endometrial hyperplasia, then they said things looked
...

Yea, my periods were all over the place. I went 4 months without one and then 6 months with one. It was a hard road never knowing what was going on. I ended up being diagnosed with exuberant endometrial hyperplasia, then they said things looked abnormal and made me jump through hoops to make sure it wasn't cancer.

I just want everything to be normal and for my body to function the way it should.

I'm going to check out and see if the books on Amazon, ty!

Nothing useful to add, just wanted to wish you the best of luck in your efforts. I suffer from many of the same medical problems, and was informed by my doctor that I would probably "need help" if I wanted to conceive. I'm an only child myself, and the thought of going on fertility drugs that might make me have twins, triplets, or more is just too terrifying. So, if it happens, it happens for me; I'm really fine either way. But I do sympathize with someone who does definitely want children but has to fight an uphill battle. My thoughts are with you!

Reply

01/03/2009

Irisheyez

Hey just a suggestion to all women out their having problems getting pregnant and aren't sure about the drugs. Think about adoption. As a girl who was adopted because my mom couldn't conceive, it is a great choice. I know you want to go through the experience of getting pregnant etc, but if you find that it ends up being too emotionally stressful and depressed such as my mom was, adoption is a great choice. The child is yours, it doesn't matter who gave birth to it, trust me, my adoptive parents are the only family I consider as my family. They completely work with the parents that are interested. I know that whenever anyone found out I was adopted I've actually had people tell me I am lying because I look so much like my family.

Good luck ladies, whatever your decision is. I hope you find out you will be having a little blessing in your life soon

I'm there with you. Had our son 2 1/2 years ago, started ttcing over a year ago...got a BFP (big fat positive) after 11 months of trying and ended up miscarrying at 11 weeks...badly...which is why i haven't been around for awhile. ended up in emergency surgery.

it's hard, because it seems everyone around me is pregnant, and i really want to be there. because of the amount of blood loss, i was told that we need to wait at least 2 to 3 months before trying again...

do you track your bbt? a great free website that tracks your bbt, symptoms, cervical mucous is
link

I'm there with you. Had our son 2 1/2 years ago, started ttcing over a year ago...got a BFP (big fat positive) after 11 months of trying and ended up miscarrying at 11 weeks...badly...which is why i haven't been around for awhile. ended up
...

I'm there with you. Had our son 2 1/2 years ago, started ttcing over a year ago...got a BFP (big fat positive) after 11 months of trying and ended up miscarrying at 11 weeks...badly...which is why i haven't been around for awhile. ended up in emergency surgery.

it's hard, because it seems everyone around me is pregnant, and i really want to be there. because of the amount of blood loss, i was told that we need to wait at least 2 to 3 months before trying again...

I'm so sorry to hear that. My circle of friends has experienced a lot of loss and failed pregnancies. I've been through 2 chemical pregnancies- they end as soon as they begin so I can offer my condolences. The hope of a new baby is destroyed is soon as the seed has been planted. I can tell you, following a miscarriage you're extremely fertile- I know of many women who've gotten pregnant a month or two following a loss. If you use myspace (as soon as I hear the word I automatically think teen) there are actually phenomenal outreach groups for PCOS (even if you don't have PCOS they have special threads for those who've miscarried) and women who have lost and are TTC'ing a miracle. Just in case you need an extra way to vent or express - sometimes being able to maintain some anonymity with a bunch of strangers who have been through the same thing is an outlet we never knew we needed.

Nothing useful to add, just wanted to wish you the best of luck in your efforts. I suffer from many of the same medical problems, and was informed by my doctor that I would probably "need help" if I wanted to conceive. I'm an only
...

Nothing useful to add, just wanted to wish you the best of luck in your efforts. I suffer from many of the same medical problems, and was informed by my doctor that I would probably "need help" if I wanted to conceive. I'm an only child myself, and the thought of going on fertility drugs that might make me have twins, triplets, or more is just too terrifying. So, if it happens, it happens for me; I'm really fine either way. But I do sympathize with someone who does definitely want children but has to fight an uphill battle. My thoughts are with you!

The chances of having multiples are a lot smaller than I thought. Out of the 100 women or so I talk with on a message group - only 1 has gotten pregnant with multiples.... Triplets to be specific. She actually used a trigger shot, so just veer away from that.. lol.

Just wanted to say good luck. Sometimes when my friends have stopped stressing about it, and almost given up and then things just happened for them. I am wanting to have another child but not able to. Well with out an expensive surgery etc. I had my tubes tied 8 years ago when I was 21. Biggest mistake of my life. Just keep trying!!

My only advice would be not to try too much. When the time is right, it will happen. I didn't try with the first two, but we tried for 2 years with our third and didn't get pregnant until I stopped stressing about it. A little while later came number 4. I think stress, worry, those things will keep it from happening. Luck to ya!

My husband and I tried for about a year to have our first child, and what finally ended up working for me was using the ovulation testing sticks. You just use them like home pregnancy tests, and it really helped me pinpoint the exact day of
...

My husband and I tried for about a year to have our first child, and what finally ended up working for me was using the ovulation testing sticks. You just use them like home pregnancy tests, and it really helped me pinpoint the exact day of ovulation.

No position is any better than another, the whole gravity thing isn't true because sperm actually swim upwards thus defeating the purpose behind raising your legs up after sex.

You've probably already heard this, but eliminate stress from your life as best you can. Also make sure your husband is doing everything he can to help. My husband's low sperm count is why it was difficult for us to conceive the first time. He started wearing boxers instead of briefs, no hot tubs or saunas, no drinking no smoking and better diet really helped. Only thing is it takes 4 weeks for it to make a difference.

I don't know how often you have sex, but it might help to cut back on it if you're doing it every day. Once every three days is optimal for having the best sperm count in the ejaculate to increase the chances of a sperm getting through. I knew about when I would ovulate, so we wouldn't have sex for at least 4 days before I would start ovulating so he would have more sperm available for that two-three day period.

The second time I got pregnant the first month we tried, so I think his better health and keeping his balls cool helped us a lot.

Best of luck to you, and no matter what try not to worry about it (I know, that's the hard part). Just relax and have fun

The not-having-sex-every-d ay thing never made sense to me. Sperm live 3-5 days if there's cervical mucus, and cervical mucus increases when you're going to ovulate, so sex every day vs sex every third day should result in about the same number of sperm swimming around.

There was also a more recent study I read that indicated that sex every day meant more of the sperms were healthier.

oh, and to add my two cents - we're ttc, but I haven't had my period in quite some time, so I'm in the process of talking to my gyn about getting meds to restart it. I was always irregular in college, but this is ridiculous.

Anyone here who's in the process of trying to conceive? We've been trying to on and off for a bit over 2 years. Gone through all sorts of hoops and still no luck. Just curious if anyone out there is in the same boat. Any Old Wives Tales on
...

Anyone here who's in the process of trying to conceive? We've been trying to on and off for a bit over 2 years. Gone through all sorts of hoops and still no luck. Just curious if anyone out there is in the same boat. Any Old Wives Tales on what positions work best? Any tricks to do?

My husband and I have one son and have been trying for almost a year to get pregnant. We decided to be dedicated this month so hopefully this is the last time we'll have to try. Lying on your back is the best because of the natural slope. I have charted my basal temperature and vaginal mucus. Your temperature is slightly higher and vaginal discharge is a clear egg-like substance just before you ovulate. We only tried for a week with our first and I elevated my behind on the sofa for 5 or so minutes after sex.

Anyone here who's in the process of trying to conceive? We've been trying to on and off for a bit over 2 years. Gone through all sorts of hoops and still no luck. Just curious if anyone out there is in the same boat. Any Old Wives Tales on
...

Anyone here who's in the process of trying to conceive? We've been trying to on and off for a bit over 2 years. Gone through all sorts of hoops and still no luck. Just curious if anyone out there is in the same boat. Any Old Wives Tales on what positions work best? Any tricks to do?

Go to fertilityfriend.com. It is a website about tracking your ovulation. It can explain how to do it. With our one child I wanted to get pregnant for 2 years. Everyone kept telling me just have sex around the 14th day of your cycle and you'll get pregnant. Well that little tidbit would have been true if my cycles were 28 day but they're more like 35-40 day cycles so day 14 was way too early for me to ovulate! Someone told me about that site and I went to it. I started the tracking process (taking my temperature, which you only do first thing in the morning and isn't nearly as big of a deal as TV sitcoms make it out to be) in the middle of my cycle just to get the hang of it before starting for real. The first cycle that I started tracking from the very beginning we got pregnant. Considering I ovulated on my birthday we would have had sex that night and probably got pregnant even if I hadn't been tracking but I was tracking it so I knew we had sex the right night and 2 weeks later had the positive pregnancy test to prove it.
Tracking ovulation can also be used to help avoid pregnancy. You begin to learn the signs your body gives and you can help use that to avoid pregnancy. It isn't 100%, neither is any other form though, but we used that method for over a year and didn't get pregnant.

Yea, my periods were all over the place. I went 4 months without one and then 6 months with one. It was a hard road never knowing what was going on. I ended up being diagnosed with exuberant endometrial hyperplasia, then they said things looked
...

Yea, my periods were all over the place. I went 4 months without one and then 6 months with one. It was a hard road never knowing what was going on. I ended up being diagnosed with exuberant endometrial hyperplasia, then they said things looked abnormal and made me jump through hoops to make sure it wasn't cancer.

I just want everything to be normal and for my body to function the way it should.

I'm going to check out and see if the books on Amazon, ty!

That is how my cycles can be. When not completely erratic they go 35-40 days, sometimes about 50 days. When erratic I easily got 90 days, up to around 180 days, in one cycle. It is crazy. Since I also have heavy bleeding and cramping that begins about a week or more then the bleeding does they did surgery to see what was going on. I found out that I have problems with my uterus lining, like a form of endo, that makes my uterus larger then usual, plus cysts on my ovaries. According to my doctor I should have a very hard time getting pregnant. While I'm not as fertile as the rest of my family, the common joke in my family is that any of the females need to do to get pregnant is wash their underwear with their husband's, if I track when I should ovulate then getting pregnant goes pretty smoothly.

I got the progesterone to kick-start a period, but it doesn't look like it got my cycle back on track Various hormonal tests came back normal, so they don't know why I'm not ovulating. It's frustrating, esp since I'm only 24.

I'll see the doc in another week, and she'll probably offer Clomid. Not sure yet if I'll take it, but I probably will.

My mother-in-law emailed me the other day because she was going to the ladies' bible study (we go to the same congregation, but I don't go to that particular study) and wanted to know if she could tell everyone there so they could pray for me. She assured me that she'd tell them to keep it to themselves and not bug me with questions. Right.

I'd appreciate the prayer, but I'm not up for this becoming public knowledge. Sometimes I wish she were slightly less naive about that sort of thing.

I got the progesterone to kick-start a period, but it doesn't look like it got my cycle back on track Various hormonal tests came back normal, so they don't know why I'm not ovulating. It's frustrating, esp since I'm only
...

I got the progesterone to kick-start a period, but it doesn't look like it got my cycle back on track Various hormonal tests came back normal, so they don't know why I'm not ovulating. It's frustrating, esp since I'm only 24.

I'll see the doc in another week, and she'll probably offer Clomid. Not sure yet if I'll take it, but I probably will.

My mother-in-law emailed me the other day because she was going to the ladies' bible study (we go to the same congregation, but I don't go to that particular study) and wanted to know if she could tell everyone there so they could pray for me. She assured me that she'd tell them to keep it to themselves and not bug me with questions. Right.

I'd appreciate the prayer, but I'm not up for this becoming public knowledge. Sometimes I wish she were slightly less naive about that sort of thing.

Well Fire, I'll keep you in my thoughts. It's so frustrating. I hope you figure out what's up soon!

@Firemeup I understand your frustation...I am in the process of trying to figure out whats going on as well and am also 24. We are sorta ttc, most specifically we're NOT not trying to get pregnant if that makes sence? I am going through all the hoops of Doc visits and vitamins and what not... Does anyone here use Red Clover Blossom tea ? I have been using it off and on (im kinda bad at remembering things) but have heard other women just rave and sing its praises. *sending happy thoughts to all*

I've been trying for 11 cycles now, and now I'm in the beginning of cycle 12. It's frustrating for sure, but I guess sometimes good things take time. I've even started using the Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor.